Pope Stephen I

Pope Stephen I (210-2 August 257) was Pope from 254 to 257, succeeding Pope Lucius I and preceding Pope Sixtus II.

Biography
Stephen was born in 210 AD in Rome, and he was elected as Pope in 254 after the exile and death of Pope Lucius I. Stephen fought against Novatianism, believing that forced apostates should be allowed to return to Christianity without re-baptism. On 2 August 257 Emperor Valerian resumed the persecution of Christians, and as Stephen celebrated mass for his congregation he was beheaded on the pontifical throne by Roman soldiers.